The Funny Indian Newsletter, Vol. 221
February 2025: Tell Me What You Did in the Last Month or You're Fired
Welcome
Welcome to The Funny Indian Newsletter!
Musings
Are Toxic Leaders More Effective?
I posed this question on Facebook and on LinkedIn, the latter of which actually led to a rich discussion.
On Presidents' Day, I was thinking about one of my favorite topics: leadership.
I've long considered my standup ability a subset of my leadership ability. I can lead a group of people in any direction: make 'em laugh, make 'em cry, scare them, incite them... I choose to make them happy. And if that sounds pretentious, well, yeah, it is. 🤮
The kind of leader I've aspired to be is, well, a kind leader.
Management is getting people to do something.
Leadership is getting people to WANT to do something.
So I've appealed to people's better angels. I've used a carrot approach.
But then, on the stick approach side, I see Elon Musk, Donald Trump, Anna Wintour, Bill Gates, Carly Fiorina, Steve Jobs: people who created hostile environments and rose to the top.
The PC (or Mac) answer is: "Well, that'll take you only so far." Um, no. These folks went as far as humans can go.
And it hasn't been to the detriment of their organizations: Apple, MSFT, SpaceX, Tesla... their growth and success have been sustainable, in many cases, for decades.
It's a competitive vs. collaborative leadership mindset. It's not who I am. It's not the kind of thing I would do because those aren't my values. But at face value, is it a better—or at least, equally good—method?
What has to be true for it to work? My guess is you need to be—or at least perceived to be—a genius. Followers will put up with a LOT of BS if they think you're supremely gifted.
Any other parameters come to mind? Would love your thoughts.
Thank you. Oh, and the hell with ya.
Disgruntled
Last month, I began a series about the new talk I’ve been giving…
Why are we disgruntled? Why are we often so dissatisfied? To some extent, it’s the water in which we swim. I’m gonna say something perhaps a bit controversial and un-PC (but hey, it’s the era for it now)…
Click to finish on my Gruntled Substack.
The Best & Worst Years for American Music
A Big Data Approach to One of Life's Most Pressing Questions
As Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th year, many of us lament how much funnier it was “back then.” When is that?
The creator himself, Lorne Michaels, observed: "Just about all viewers of 'S.N.L.' believe that its funniest years were the ones when they were in high school."
And so it is with music. But what if we took an unbiased approach? Because I don’t have enough to balance in my life with my standup career, my marriage, my Mom moving in with us after my Dad’s passing, and my three-year-old wandering around our house, I set aside 20 hours of my life to do a deep dive, sometimes using A.I. but mostly using Google and Reddit, into this all-important topic.
Upon completion, I ran my method by the friends of mine known to be the harshest critics. I did NOT initially share the results because I wanted them focused on the process. Gut-checks are intuition, which includes our personal biases for and against different periods of music. I wanted them to remain in their heads. All of these hard skeptics concurred with my approach.
(If you don’t know who I am, then perhaps any people I know personally aren’t exactly going to fill the credibility gap. As my friend Erin Tillman (The Dating Advice Girl) once said, “I often have these guys come up to me at a bar who vouch for their friend. How does that hold any water? I don’t know who YOU are.”)
Click to finish here on Substack.
Updates
See
Future:
03/07: Rajiv Satyal’s Birthday Show (N. Hollywood, CA)
Past:
02/02: The Funny Indian… Live in Houston (Houston, TX)
This was super fun. I debuted a brand-new variety show. I hosted, featured and interviewed a popular local comic, came out as Gandhi, conducted a quiz bowl, gave a snippet of my Gruntled speech, read a funny essay, and of course, performed standup. Available for hire.
Watch
It was a pleasure to interview with CNN Journalist Manu Raju. I released clips on my IG.
Listen
I finally released new episodes of The TanGent Show, my podcast where I interview anyone I find interesting. I’ll be releasing video clips on my IG of The New York Times’ humor writer Henry Alford. The P&G Alumni Podcast will put out VP of Sales Joe Cucci in the coming weeks. And I’ve already begun dropping video clips of Vijal Patel, the creator of the The Pradeeps of Pittsburgh, streaming now on Amazon Prime.
Watch
AS "I AM INDIAN AMERICAN" APPROACHES 500K VIEWS, I'M HONORED BY THIS PIECE*... (and am apparently now a filmmaker):
Renowned comedian and filmmaker Rajiv Satyal, also known as ‘The Funny Indian’, has collaborated with Indiaspora to unveil a captivating new video celebrating the invaluable contributions of Indian Americans to the fabric of the United States. Titled I Am Indian American, this latest project follows the resounding success of Satyal’s previous viral sensation, I Am Indian, which amassed a staggering 100 million views online.
The overarching goal of I Am Indian American is to spotlight the myriad ways in which Indian Americans have enriched American society, leaving an indelible mark on the economy, culture, and community at large. This poignant release couldn’t have come at a more pivotal moment, as the role of Indian Americans in the US has become a focal point of national discourse, particularly in light of ongoing debates surrounding H-1B visa holders.
In a statement reflecting on this collaboration, Satyal expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside Indiaspora to bring this impactful project to fruition. He shared, “I’m deeply honored that Indiaspora entrusted me with its compelling Impact Report. The task at hand was to craft a video that strikes a balance between humor and insight, while also delivering a message that is both inspiring and resonant.”
To experience the powerful message of I Am Indian American firsthand, viewers can tune in on various social media platforms including Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube. This poignant project, highlighted by its humor and insight, promises to leave a lasting impression on all who engage with it.
Unveiling the Impact of Indian Americans
As the curtains rise on I Am Indian American, viewers are treated to a compelling narrative that delves into the profound impact of Indian Americans across diverse sectors of American society. From trailblazing entrepreneurs and tech innovators to cultural ambassadors and community leaders, the video showcases the multifaceted contributions that have helped shape the rich tapestry of American life.
Expert voices featured in the video underscore the valuable role played by Indian Americans in driving innovation, fostering diversity, and creating a more inclusive society. Their stories serve as a testament to the resilience, creativity, and unwavering spirit that define the Indian American experience.
A Message of Unity and Inspiration
At its core, I Am Indian American is more than just a video—it’s a rallying cry for unity, understanding, and celebration of diversity. Through its blend of humor, insight, and heartwarming moments, the video serves as a powerful reminder of the shared values that bind us together as a collective community.
By shedding light on the achievements and contributions of Indian Americans, the video not only celebrates individual success stories but also underscores the collective impact of a community united in its pursuit of excellence and progress. As viewers immerse themselves in the stories and experiences shared in I Am Indian American, they are invited to reflect on the power of unity, empathy, and collaboration in building a brighter, more inclusive future for all.
In conclusion, I Am Indian American stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of Indian Americans in the United States, weaving together a tapestry of stories, laughter, and inspiration that resonates with audiences of all backgrounds. As the video continues to make waves across social media platforms, its message of unity and empowerment serves as a beacon of hope and resilience in an ever-evolving world.
Watch
I've hosted so many people on my podcast, but it's always nice to be invited on someone else's.
Here's the first of two clips from the one I did with Andrew Yang:
Full episode below (or wherever you get your podcasts):
Like
SOUTH ASIAN OSCAR PARTY 2025
Last night, South Asian luminaries came together for a vibrant celebration recognizing the achievements of this year’s Oscar nominees.
Above all else, super huge thanks to Filmmaker Shruti Ganguly for the invitation. Oh, and to Poorna Jagannathan for pulling my bald head into that epic photo.
Kunal Nayyar from The Big Bang Theory started chatting with me and it took me a full minute to realize it was indeed he. My wife will appreciate that cowboy hat.
Good luck to Asif Ali and Saagar Shaikh on your Deli Boys premiere tonight.
I was talking to Mindy Kaling on the step-and-repeat and suppose I should've asked for a pic but I already had one. Though we would've been dressed a bit better. Oh, well. Maybe next year.
The "South Asians at the Oscars" Pre-Oscar Party was co-hosted by Mindy Kaling, Aasif Mandvi, Bela Bajaria, Liza Koshy, Nik Dodani, Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Pawo Choyning Dorji, Shamina Singh, Shruti Ganguly, and Anita Chatterjee, honoring the collective dedication and impact of each attendee in advancing South Asian representation both on and off the screen*.
Like
Cedric the Entertainer is just as nice as his reputation would suggest!
Laugh
Since this is a FUNNY Indian Newsletter, I present here the 5 funny things that I saw, heard, wrote, or remembered for the last month... otherwise known as FIVE - Funny Indian's V Events. Enjoy.
5. Took me back to my ball kid days…
4. Yep, the country has changed.
3. Longest clip ever. And totally worth it. Norm Macdonald’s writer Jim Downey shares some hilarious insights with Conan. #NSFW
2. Funny drive-thru prank. #NSFW
1. I’m guessing this had to be dubbed in but kudos either way.
Close
THANK YOU to all of you for your support. You are my true core of fans — I couldn't do this without you.
Love,
- Rajiv